What does it mean word for word?
θάνατος is a masculine noun of the second declension, built from the verb root θαν-, seen also in ἀποθανεῖν, 'to die'.
Which one should you use?
Greek distinguishes θάνατος, death as a state or event, from νεκρός, 'corpse', the physical body left behind.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
θάνατος appears in every register, from tragedy and philosophy to simple statements of fact.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word and the personification of Thanatos appear throughout Greek literature, notably in Homer and in Euripides's play Alcestis, where Thanatos is a character.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a regular second declension noun, θάνατος follows the same pattern as ἄνθρωπος and many other common Greek nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
θάνατος stresses the first syllable, with the θ as an aspirated t sound, close to 'THA-na-tos'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Confusing θάνατος with θάνατον, its accusative form, is a minor but common slip for beginners still learning Greek noun cases.
When do people say it?
In the play Alcestis, Death himself, Thanatos, appears on stage as a character who comes to collect a soul, later wrestled by Heracles.
Did you know?
- In Greek mythology Thanatos, the personification of death, is the twin brother of Hypnos, Sleep, reflecting how closely the Greeks connected the two states.
- In Euripides's play Alcestis, Thanatos appears as a character on stage, physically wrestled by the hero Heracles to win back a life already claimed.
Examples in context
- ὁ θάνατος πάντων κοινός ἐστιν.ho thanatos panton koinos estin.Death is common to all.
- φοβεῖται τὸν θάνατον.phobeitai ton thanaton.He fears death.
- μετὰ τὸν θάνατον τί ἐστιν?meta ton thanaton ti estin?What is there after death?
Example conversation
A philosopher named Diogenes and his student Hermon discuss death on a quiet evening.
- Hermonφοβεῖ τὸν θάνατον, ὦ Διόγενες?phobei ton thanaton, o Diogenes?Do you fear death, Diogenes?
- Diogenesοὔ, ὁ θάνατος φύσις ἐστίν.ou, ho thanatos physis estin.No, death is nature.
- Hermonπῶς οὖν ζῆν δεῖ?pos oun zen dei?How then should one live?
- Diogenesκατὰ φύσιν, ὦ φίλε.kata physin, o phile.According to nature, my friend.
